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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.